PHEW!! After a long time, I finally finish chapter 14! Sorry if it sucks at some parts. ^^;; I do not own Trigun or its charrys, I only own my charrys. LOVE AND PEACE!!

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Chapter 14: My December

Captain Exsony and his men reached the main research facility that his about 100 or so iles to the northwest to December just as the first sun of the double-suns was setting. The facility was huge and was the center of most of the first experimentation. This is where the prototype number 5201 was created before being sent to the facility that it escaped from.

It was such a pity for Exony, after chasing 5201 for 1-3 months, he was arriving at the facility empty-handed. But he does have important information to give to the doctor, mainly about what happened at the last town, and he knows where 5201 will be for some time. It'll be in the town December, but 5201 has a few companions now, one of them being Vash the Stampede.

The guard at the facility asked for id badges and Exsony showed his, at the same time explaining why he is here. The guard nodded and allowed him inside with his men. The guard lead the through the facility to the office of Dr. Lowcheski. Gently rapping on the door, the guard knocked on the door.

After a moment, the same gray haired man appeared at the door. Nothing was different about him, except maybe a little less hair than before. "Ah, Jared," Dr. Lowcheski greeted, clearly looking at the guard. "What may I do for you?"

Jared stiffened slightly before answering. "Dr. Lowcheski, Captain Exsony and his men are here to talk to you about the prototype 5201."

Dr. Lowcheski finally looked up at Captain Exsony. Then he nodded and backed away from the door, allowing Exsony and his crew in. "You may go back to your post, Jared."

"Yes, sir." Jared turned and retreated the way they had just came from.

Dr. Lowcheski then closed the door and walked around the group so he is behind his wooden desk. "So what brings you here, Captian?"

Exsony cleared his throat before speaking. "I have brought rather interesting news about the prototype 5201."

"Really?"

Exsony nodded and continued. "In the town of Creed, its plant was breaking down because something got inside the bulb. It was small, but still serious. The interesting part is that prototype 5201 managed to prevent the plant from exploding and destroying the town."

"Hmm..." Dr. Locheski thought one moment. "That is quite interesting to hear. Especially since 5201 is only part plant and not pure plant. The extreme environment inside the bulb should have killed her, if not drained her completely of its strength."

"Well, its alive, and one of its traveling companions is Vash the Stampede."

"That is also very interesting news. Where is 5201 right now?"

"Its probably about to enter December," Exsony answered.

"December...you should be able to get it there."

Exsony nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

Dr. Lowcheski smiled. "Of course, and I have something that could help you in capturing 5201."

*****

Devi, Vash, Milly and Meryl entered the busy town of December was twilight started to settle in the sky. Some of the traffic let up, but most of it was still there. Devi separated herself from the group, telling them to go on ahead and get rooms and that she'll be back.

Going on ahead, Devi carefully drove through the town to find a body shop until finally asking someone who looked friendly enough to ask. After asking, Devi had no problem in finding it. It was quite easy, only a few blocks down the main street and turn right and the shop was the second building on the left. At the body shop, Devi asked the worker to clean it, refuel it. After paying a hundred double dollars in advance, Devi asked to make sure that it was a good job. After doing so, Devi headed back to the inn that she past when they first came to December.

*****

In the saloon of the inn, Milly, Meryl and Vash sat around a table eating their meals. They have asked for three rooms and got the keys for them. It didn't take long for Devi to come back, but without the roar of the motorcycle to introduce her presence. She entered the inn and joined the trio at the table. A waitress came over to take her order and give her a glass of water.

The table was silent a moment, everyone was eating their dinner as Devi's supper was delivered and Devi started to eat. That was when Meryl spoke. "So, Devi, where did you go?"

Devi had to swallow her first bite before answering. "I found a body shop for my bike, it needs to be cleaned and refueled before I leave here."

"Ah, when are you going to pick it up," Meryl asked before taking a sip out her water.

"Tomorrow afternoon probably."

The rest of the evening was silent, it was strange for it to be silent, especially for Vash. Vash seemed to be deep in thought about something. He was actually thinking on how and when to ask Devi about something, like her differences. Vash didn't want to bring this up in front of Milly and Meryl, Meryl would probably have a hissy fit.

I'll ask her later, when we're alone, Vash thought to himself.

*****

Night fell and Devi was sitting on the roof, looking out at the nighttime sky. She's never seen the sky like this before, it was always one spot from her barred window. Wow, I would have never thought the night sky was so....big, Devi thought to herself. So many stars, I can barely keep track of them all when I try to count them.

The wind stirred her long braid. The wind also helped in masking Vash's approach from behind. He stood watching her, he can sense her amazement of the sky. It's as though she never seen it on top of the roof before.

Vash stepped closer before asking, "May I join you?"

Devi looked over her shoulder. "Sure, there's plenty of space, here."

Sitting down next to her, Vash made himself comfortable on the edge of the roof. Its been a long time since Vash really looked at the stars, very long time.

After what seemed to be an eternity of just staring at the stars, Vash finally spoke. "Beautiful night, huh?"

The comment brought a small smile to Devi's lips. This was quite awkward for her. She cared for Vash, but not the same way that Meryl did. Meryl has known Vash for much longer than Devi has and probably ever will. Devi was more of a loner, and that was more because of her past and not growing up around other people all of her life. She's only been out in the world for six or seven months.

"Yeah," Devi agreed.

Vash seemed hesitant in speaking tonight, something seemed to be on his mind. Devi could tell by his body language, more than by glancing at his thoughts. "Is there something on your mind, Vash?"

"Huh?" Vash glanced over at Devi, his face was slightly red, but you wouldn't been able to tell in the darkness of the night. Then he said, "Yeah..I guess so."

"What is it," Devi asked, curious as to what Vash was thinking.

"Well," Vash started, then continued, "Its about what happened after the scare with the bulb going haywire."

Devi's eyebrows rose up a bit and her jaw went a little bit slack. "Uh...what about that?"

Vash took a deep breath through his nose before answering. "Um..I was the one who got you in the bed afterwards."

Devi blinked at the wording of the sentence. It didn't sound right, but she knew what he was talking about. "Okay.."

"Yeah," Vash continued. " When I set you down, I saw something not quite right."

What is he talking about? My tail? Devi asked herself.

Uneasy, Vash still went on. "I saw a tail, well, I think it was a tail. It was long, black and sleek."

It was Devi's turn to blush. "That would be mine, I actually got it recently."

Vash looked at Devi, clearly confused. "How did you get it recently?"

"When I saved the plant." I guess I better tell him. "It has something to do with who I am. Or more like what I am."

Seeing Vash's even more confused looked, Devi continued herself. "You remember about a bounty sent out for an escaped genetic experiment?"

"Yeah."

"Well," Devi took a breath to calm herself. "I'm that genetic experiment. I'm actually called 5201."

"Wow," Vash breathed. "That would explain why you didn't have a name when we first met."

"Unless you consider numbers a name."

Vash smiled a bit. "And I thought I was the only one with a secret like that."

Devi looked at Vash. "Oh? How come?"

"I'm a plant."

Blinking, Devi had a slight surprise look on her face. "You mean, you're like one of those bulbs?"

Vash shrugged. "Except that I can walk."

Devi snickered. "Obviously."

The wind picked up a bit and Devi's hair whirled a bit more. "So," Vash started. "What are you a genetic experiment of?"

"I'm a hybrid of wild sand cat, a very dangerous spider, plant and human."

Vash jerked his head towards her at the mention of being part plant. "Are you saying that there are people who actually know that plants are living creatures?"

"Yeah."

They sat in silence another moment, then Vash said. "I knew there was something about you that was different. And you know what?"

"What," Devi asked.

"I like you for that."

"Really?"

Vash slid over a bit closer. "Yeah."

Devi suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable all of a sudden. Vash got a bit more closer, looking directly into Devi's eyes. "Actually," Vash said, his breath brushing sweetly against Devi's cheeks. "I never felt like this towards anyone."

Then silently, their lips connected and Vash's arms wrapped around Devi's body, holding her there. The sweetness of the kiss lasted for sometime, until Devi regained her senses and gently broke up the kiss.

"I'm sorry," Devi apologized, "but I can't."

Vash opened his sea-green colored eyes and look into Devi's golden ones. "How come?"

"Because there someone else," Devi started.

Vash pulled back. "Oh,"

Devi continued though. "Who is able to care and love you more than I could."

Vash looked at Devi again. "What?"

Ignoring Vash's question, Devi said. "I'm leaving in the morning, but right now, I just need to go for a walk for a bit."

With that said, Devi pushed herself off the edge and dropped herself into the darkness. She ignored whatever Vash was saying. Devi needed to think some things over.

Devi walked down the dark, barren street. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice someone following her. The next thing she knew, Devi was hit in the head hard and she saw and felt nothing.